Comments

UnicornsandRainbows

Good Intentions, clearly you are an educated professional who is (or has)working in this field. Thank you for your compassionate and important work. There is always room for improvement, ways to cut waste, in these programs but the work they do cannot be underrated. I only wish that those who do are not as knowledgeable as yourself or who rely on anecdotal evidence, could develop some empathy.

janeeyre1

GoodIntentions, we taxpayers have tried it you way long enough. We have shelled out millions of dollars thanks to your sob stories and propaganda all about what victims addicts are and how instead of being held accountable they should be given understanding, sympathy, counseling, medication and hugs. So how come your way hasn't worked? If you were so right why is the addiction problem in our area and country only getting worse-and more expensive? It's time for a change! If you are in the addiction treatment field I suggest that you start weighing your options and come up with an employment based Plan B. I would hate to see you under the train bridge one day holding a sing that reads "Will Enable Addicts For Food."

janeeyre1

grinandbearit is SO right. The only victims of addiction in this case are the taxpayers. Yes GoodIntentions, someone close to me was afflicted with an addiction problem. They did not have insurance and could not afford to go to treatment. So they went to meetings, worked a recovery program, did not boo hoo to a coulselor and get antidperessant medication and-surprise-they are still clean and sober. I think It's funny that the only people who on board with this whole "addiction is a disease and addicts are the victims" concept are the people who profit from it the most-counselers, medical professionals, pharamicists and addicts who use them as an excuse to keep using and stay on welfare.

janeeyre1

Also you may be cool with someone getting a drug conviction in another state-but having them go to WV for treatment at the taxpayers expense because they were originally from WV, but I'm not! Yes residents of halfway houses are SUPPOSED to pay rent. I invite you to call/visit your nearest local halfway house and see how many residents actually DO pay rent and how many skip out.

janeeyre1

GoodIntentions you may know the laws-but not the reality of the situation. So what you're saying is that, no halfway house in WV has residents who are on food stamps and do not come from another state? I encourage you to look in your own back yarddo some investigating and make a few calls! Wake Up Call Completed!

GoodIntentions

I think that there needs to be some clarification on halfway houses, drug treatment,rehab centers, SSI and welfare benefits. Primary diagnosis of drug or alcohol addiction is NOT an automatic qualifier for you to be a recipient of any benefits. Please read the 1996 Welfare Reform Act to make an educated comment. Secondly, halfway houses ARE resident self pay via rent etc and they DO NOT accept out of state inmates transferring to WV UNLESS they were a WV resident prior to their conviction. Thirdly, WV has approximately 250 inpatient beds (pathetic) for addiction with a waiting list of 15k so community residential programs are necessary for those transitioning from addiction to sobriety. Sometimes a daily AA/NA meeting is not enough. Be thankful that you or a family member have not been the victim of addiction. It crosses all ages, races, gender and socioeconomic status' and certainly doesn't hand pick just those receiving welfare.

janeeyre1

Thanks for the support 380AUTO & GUY007! If someone wants to come to Wood County from out of state, or another WV county, to get sober and stay in a halfway house or treatment center, the residents of Wood County should not be expected to pay for their food and medical care. I would like to know how much money got spent last year feeding and caring for people,some of whom got out of prisons from other states, with drug addictions? These are questions that need to be answered!

Guy007

DHHR money, which is received from the hardworking taxpayers, should be used ONLY to aid the deserving poor, and NOT the lazy or the addicts, who are addicted by the choices they made in their useless lives.

380AUTO

I have to say I agree with janeeyre1 our tax money needs to stay in wood county to help our senior citizens and the people like babys that have parents that work but cant afford the medical help they need for there children

janeeyre1

I know how to save a lot of money. Stop rehab centers/halfway houses to become more self supporting and stop them from depending on food stamps and medical cards to care for their clients. In many cases, people suffering from an addiction problem from other areas outside Wood County-including other states-to get treatment. If they choose to come here for treatment why should the residents of Wood County be expected to pay for their food and medical care? In most cases these clients are never required to complete their recovery programs and can leave-and return to using drugs and alcohole whenever they please. This is a poor investment.